David Knight, Partner, IP and Technology, Protection and Enforcement

I graduated with a degree in electronic engineering and practised as an engineer for a number of years before moving into the law and qualifying as a solicitor. In addition to working in solicitors' practices I have spent some time with a firm of patent attorneys where, in addition to acting in patent litigation matters, I gained experience of patent prosecution. I joined Fieldfisher as a partner in May 2004.

My practice covers the full range of IP rights (patents, trade marks, designs, copyright, etc.) particularly where such rights are technical in character. The main focus of my practice is patent law. I advise on and conduct both offensive and defensive litigation of patent rights, patent infringement avoidance; commercial exploitation and acquisition, and how to use patents for competitive advantage. Often this is done on a multi-jurisdictional basis.

I believe it is important to challenge the existing legal status quo when necessary. As a result I have been privileged to have been involved in some cases that have stretched existing laws and created new laws

I am often invited to speak at conferences around the world on patent and Intellectual Property subjects. I also lecture on Intellectual Property at the Universities of Cambridge and Brunel. I also regularly write articles for publications.